SHIPS offers dynamic assessment of the classroom behaviour of children and young people who have sustained an acquired brain injury (ABI), with a report of the student’s learning style, strengths and weaknesses and recommendations of how to manage their learning.
Appropriate assessment may identify the child’s unaffected areas of retained knowledge and help to define complex learning problems that may be experienced, which will assist teachers to formulate appropriate differentiation and compensatory strategies for the pupil in the classroom. SHIPS is also available to answer more general questions about acquired brain injury (ABI) and to refer schools to other professionals and agencies where this is necessary.
SHIPS is also available to assist in the transition between different schools. For parents this would ensure continuity of provision over this anxious time, for the pupils there would be a familiar person to talk to and for teacher’s advice about handling learning needs which are generally invisible. For children who have sustained a significant brain injury, the world can be a scary, confusing place, and at SHIPS we want to help these children to understand and adjust to their injuries. As well as helping the children themselves, we also want to be able to help their friends and family learn more about the child’s injury and how they can help the child continue to live to their full potential.
What can SHIPS do for the young person?
This is why, at SHIPS, we work to help children who have sustained a brain injury during their developing years. We care deeply about the children we help, and work closely with these children to create a brighter future for them. A brain injury is significant and life-changing, but the young person can still learn, work and become independant. They can still interact with friends, family and teachers, and have a life of their own. And with our help, we hope to ensure that children who have sustained a significant brain injury across the South-West and South Wales still have this chance to have a real life.
What can SHIPS do for parents?
At SHIPS, we want to help parents connect with their children and the other people in their lives. Here at SHIPS we not only keep parents in contact with their children’s teachers and doctors, so that they can keep up with their child’s development, but we also help these parents interact with their children and help them overcome their injury.
Support can frequently be found from other parents in a similar situation. The popular Parents' Support Groups are a good place to ask questions and find solutions
Who can SHIPS help?
Intervention from SHIPS involves classroom observation, a report for teachers and parents and access to the help line, with follow up if considered necessary. This costs £300 per annum (2012 figure) and could be written into a child's statement of special educational needs or may be available from a legal settlement.
However, as SHIPS is part of Above & Beyond the charity for Bristol's city centre hospitals, grants to the full value of the cost are available each year for those who do not have other support. Please contact SHIPS to discuss what is available. There is always a cost to the charity and we encourage donations or fundraising for SHIPS. Click here to view specific costs.
SHIPS is based in Bristol, England, and can only assist children within one hours travelling distance of Bristol. This may be further than you imagine as the roads around Bristol are good. We can certainly help as far south as Taunton, west as far as Newport in South Wales, north to Cheltenham and east to Swindon. We may also be able to make a one off visit for one school day to places up to 2 hours from the SHIPS base. This would include Exeter, Carmarthen and Weymouth.
Do you have a question?
Then don't hesitate - get in touch today by clicking the button or call us on 01179 673 279